The World Cup and social cohesion: bread and circuses or bread and butter?

Abstract

Given the wide variety of histories, cultures, economies, relationships between government ants and civil societies it is impossible to generalise about the impact of large scale events of social cohesion. Further, there is a lack of relevant systematic and robust research on such issues, most especially in relation to developing economies, each with their own social, cultural and economic trajectories and each with sporting structures and histories (a major aspect of understanding such issues in South Africa). Within in this broad context this paper explores four possible ways that the World Cup might contribute directly and indirectly to increased ‘social cohesion’ in South Africa. These are: imagined communities; the development of forms of social capital via processes of event bidding, managing and delivery; the centrally important role of volunteers and investment in sport-for-development organisations.